2. analog
  3. 1174275589

tubes and analog

I just "upgraded" from a Mac SS integrated to a Prima luna dialogue 2 tube amp. The reason that I changed amps was that i assumed that the tube amp would be a better match for my Zu Druid speakers. The amp change was a big improvment for listening through my CDP....but not so when listening to my Rega P9. I had to switch to my spare SS phono stage (Graham slee) to get it to sound right. I was using a tube phono (AES) with my Mac. In Short, my tube amp with SS phono stage is not really an upgrade from my Mac with Tube phono stage. My question is.....should i consider a further upgrade to a better tube phono pre or is it simply that a change from SS to Tube amp is more "pronounced" in digital playback?
csmithbarc

Showing 4 responses by carlbecker

carlbecker
27 posts
 
IMHO it matters less if its tube or SS and more about how the component sounds and fits with the rest of the system. I use tubes for all but my components to not have the "lush" sound, more detailed like SS. My amp is matched very well to my speakers. I built a tube phono pre with passive stepped atenuators for a linestage. My goal is transparency so I picked my components for this. Also I made sure that they play well together as far as impedance matching. Cost per component was not a deciding factor just sound and system matching. As an example I do not care for the sound of CJ linestages but don't mind their amps sound. I very much like what is not added by using a passive pre but care needs to be taken in this approach. My requirements are tone, dynamics then imaging and less so for freq. extremes.
carlbecker
27 posts
 
The Atma did blow up the woofer. Problem is/was the Atma was not to spec. as per factory. One needs to make sure about used equipment if one wants to keep the surprise's count down. Even then there can be a surprise waiting. Put yourself in the others shoes.
"smoke comes out of a device and then the second device poofs...must be the first device causing the problem." And in this case its reported as what happen by both parties. Its not even an assumption, just an underlying problem. We all need to be careful.
Not defending anyone, just an observation. Peace
carlbecker
27 posts
 
Seems like this thread really got off track. I hope the original poster got something out of it. I have but not from the original question. Its been fun.

Carl
carlbecker
27 posts
 
I think it’s good to talk about equipment success or failure. I think a manufacturer should not release fault prone equipment, I have seen some. I don't like the idea of keeping secrets of issues and I believe ss vs. tube reliability are fair game as well as low level detail or linear response. It’s all part of the process of making the decision on which path to take. I prefer tubes so that I may dabble with them. I enjoy the sound of the equipment I have made. I think there is some great SS equipment on the market. I am sure there is shoddy SS and tube equipment out there also. I have also heard only good comments about the manufacturers partaking in this discussion. I would like to listen to all there equipment.
IMHO to be accurate is to be honest. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
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